State Briefs 3/26/08

PEORIA - Peoria police are investigating two separate attacks on female students walking to Peoria High School on March 19.

The attacks were isolated, and witnesses' descriptions of the men have led police to believe it was not the same attacker, said officer Ron Scales, chief of security at Peoria School District 150.

A 16-year-old student reported between 7:30 and 8 a.m. March 19, she was walking near Interstate 74 when a man, whom she described as an older, well-built black man with braids in his hair, grabbed her from behind, pulled her and tried to kiss her, according to the girl's aunt. The victim told police she escaped by slipping out of her backpack and coat.

That same day, another student also reported to Peoria High officials she was followed and accosted about 7:15 a.m. on her way to school. The student, who is 15 or 16, told school officials she was near the school when the man approached her, Scales said.

Officials are urging students to take caution on the way to school and immediately report any attacks.

School officials sent a notice home with students Wednesday. Scales said his security office later was notified about the attack on the 16-year-old.

Journal Star, Peoria

Babysitter attacked in home by four intruders

PEORIA - A babysitter was attacked Tuesday after discovering four intruders in a South Peoria home.

The 17-year-old girl was alone watching television about 2:15 p.m. in the home when she heard a noise inside the house, according to a Peoria police report.

As she entered the kitchen, she saw that four men, about 16 to 20, had forced their way into the home through a locked rear kitchen door, the report stated.

One of the men, who was armed with a knife, punched the victim in the face. As he did it, he fell on top of her, she told police. He then got up, and all four fled on foot.

The owner of the home was not there at the time of the incident.

Journal Star, Peoria

Man bolts from courtroom

ROCKFORD – Bailiffs at the new Winnebago County Justice Center were unable to stop a man who bolted from a second-floor courtroom Wednesday after he learned he would be returning to jail.

Taurean M. Gulley, 20, was in a courtroom on the second floor of the justice center when a judge told him he would be taken into custody, Deputy Chief Dominic Iasparro said. Gulley fled the courtroom, ran down a staircase and exited the front doors, where he last was seen heading south.

Police are searching the downtown area for the man, Iasparro said, though he had no details about the man’s description. He is not believed to be armed. Iasparro also didn’t know for what charge Gulley was appearing in court. He had been released on bond before today’s court date.

Gulley was described by officials as black, 5-foot-11 and 145 pounds with a light complexion and short hair. He was wearing a sweat shirt, blue jeans and tennis shoes.

Authorities said this was the first incident of a subject fleeing the new Justice Center.

Court records show Gulley has a lengthy arrest record, and most recently was arrested for resisting a police officer on March 8.

Rockford Register Star

Statehouse lights will be extinguished for “Earth Hour”

SPRINGFIELD – Most of the lights on the Statehouse Dome will go dark from 8 to 9 p.m. Saturday, part of a worldwide event called “Earth Hour.”

Those participating, including Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White's office, which oversees the Capitol Complex in Springfield, are taking a symbolic stand against global warming.

A spokesman for White said the Statehouse's aviation warning lights will remain illuminated during the hour.

Lights also will be turned off at several state buildings in Chicago at the initiative of Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

More than 30 cities on six continents are involved in the effort, according to a news release from the governor's office. The World Wildlife Fund is coordinating the event.